The Trade Union Congress of Nigeria, TUC, is asking the Federal Government to within seven days, beginning from Tuesday, February 7, 2023, provide solutions to the twin problems of currency unavailability and fuel shortages.
In a statement jointly signed by TUC President Festus Osifo and General Secretary, Nuhu Toro, the labour movement said it shall be monitoring the situation closely, and will give further directives, should the situation not improve.
The release has also put all State Council Executives of the TUC on red alert for further directive at the expiration of the 7-days while stressing that Nigeria belongs to the people, not to the government or the ‘birds” of passage who hold power.
Labour tasks President Muhamadu Buhari on the urgent need to give a marching order to the CBN and the commercial banks to make available the legal tender, unconditionally to Nigerians without further delay, for an immediate return to normalcy, so that Nigerians who are already subjected to unprecedented runaway inflation, can have access to their hard-earned money.
Labour warns that the lengthy explanations on why there are long queues at fuel stations and prices of Premium Motor Spirit, PMS being far above the official price, can no longer be tolerated, as it demands that petrol returns to fuel stations and is available at the official price across the country.
Labour warns further that the time for the government to act is now before the situation gets out of hand, and the populace takes matters into their own hands.
It hopes that political officeholders and the political class would heed its advice.
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The TUC says like the rest of the Nigerian populace, it is bewildered that the country is being dragged through the twin crises of currency and fuel shortages, noting that never in the history of the country have Nigerians been subjected to so much pain, sorrow and anger, which threatens to boil over into the streets.
TUC adds that indeed, pockets of protests have broken out in some states, because Nigerians have never been subjected to the nightmare of being unable to access their hard-earned money in the banks, leading to business closures, and inability to pay for food, transportation and medical bills amongst other necessities.
TUC worries that a situation where the populace is forced to buy Nigerian currency, or part with a significant percentage of cash, just to get access to their own money is disheartening and evil, warning it is unacceptable that a country of laws, with a plethora of governments and security services in place, is unable to curb these crimes against the people, and bring perpetrators to book.
Labour says it is not interested in the blame game going on in government and political circles, neither is it fascinated by the endless promises and assurances made by the Federal Government, that the situation will soon be brought under control.
It is worried and wishes to note that smaller denominations of N100 Naira notes and N50 notes were not affected by the Naira redesign, yet, paradoxically not in circulation anywhere in the country.
(Editor: Ifeanyi Mark)
